“Invasion”
With not one but four DCTV shows airing on The CW, the network saw the chance to launch an unprecedented crossover – one that spanned all four series. The “Invasion” event was a difficult balancing act, with each show retaining its own identity and overarching narratives, but with the unifying thread of an alien invasion. Matters were made all the more complicated by Arrow’s 100th episode anniversary, which sat within the event.
“Invasion” was a critical and ratings success, and clearly sets up the potential for future crossovers. For comic book fans, this was an unexpected reminder of the popularity of crossovers, and the event clearly took inspiration from the tone and style of these events.
There’s a very real sense in which “Invasion” is a defining moment for the superhero genre, proving that we now have a strong and diverse enough range of superhero shows to do crossovers in the style of the comics.